Submit a PhotoDon Lemke passed away peacefully on March 15, 2026, surrounded by loved ones after a courageous 16-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. His final years reflected the same resilience, determination, and quiet strength that characterized his life.
He was known throughout his life for his dedication to family, strong work ethic, and steady character. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, veteran, business owner, brother, and friend.
Don was born on April 15, 1949, in Graham, Texas, to Harold Lemke and Maxine Franklin Lemke. At the age of 10, his family relocated to Utah, where he spent his formative years.
He graduated from Granger High School in 1967. While attending Granger, he met the love of his life, Pam Peery, whom he later married. He and Pam were married for 57 years, building a life together grounded in dedication to family, loyalty, and hard work.
Don proudly served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War, spending nearly two and a half years at sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany. Serving on the flight deck as an electrician, he maintained electrical systems on carrier-based fighter aircraft, primarily the A-7 Corsair II. During his time at sea, he was exposed to Agent Orange and other hazardous chemicals—exposure that later contributed to the health challenges he faced.
Following his military service, he built a life centered on responsibility and perseverance. Together with Pam, they owned and operated a successful business for 23 years, working side by side to build and grow the company into a nationally recognized, award-winning organization. Through their shared leadership, the business became known for its professionalism and commitment to the highest standards of service, earning the trust and respect of those they served within their industry.
He retired in 2007 after decades of dedication to his profession and those he served. In 2020, he and Pam relocated to Arizona, where they remained close to family while he continued his long fight with Parkinson’s disease.
Family was at the center of his life. He was a loving husband to Pam, a guiding example to his children, and a proud grandfather whose grandchildren brought him immense joy. He also welcomed his children’s spouses as members of his own family, offering them the same pride and care he gave to his daughter and son.
Before illness ever slowed him down, Don lived life in constant motion—and usually at full speed. He bowled in leagues, played racquetball and pickleball, and was an avid golfer who even worked at a course for years, pulling carts out at sunrise and parking them long after dark. In classic Don fashion, he once won a senior pickleball tournament while having a heart attack—refusing to quit mid-match—and then argued afterward about going to the VA instead of the nearest hospital. He had his priorities straight: french fries were eaten first while they were hot, burgers came second, and dessert was never optional—especially if it involved Nilla wafers, Oreos, or vanilla ice cream with caramel. He could finish an entire box of movie popcorn before the next stoplight and consider it completely normal.
He was the guy who pulled more kids on tubes and skis than anyone else on the lake, always circling back with a grin like he was having more fun than they were. At home, he built, fixed, or improved just about everything—decks, walls, sheds, sprinklers, basements—and still somehow found time to keep things spotless. The windows were always clean, the shower scrubbed, and the soft water machine never ran out of salt. His lawn was the greenest on the block, his driveway was cleared before the snow had a chance to settle, and he never missed a garbage day. He had a pool in the backyard that was always clean and kept at the perfect temperature for the girls in his family, and a barbecue that saw more use than most—where he happily spent hours cooking, hosting, and making sure everyone was taken care of. A full backyard was his kind of day.
He coached first-place teams and last-place teams the exact same way, showed up proudly for every game, and became the undisputed Christmas Eve MVP—assembling toys, reading instructions, and placing stickers with surgical precision. He filled sidewalks and walls with chalk drawings, read Consumer Reports like it was a competitive sport, and somehow managed to wear the wheels bald on a lawnmower. He loved his dogs—Tasha, Nikita, and Sammy—whistled to his parakeets each morning over a bowl of Rice Krispies, and made repeated (and mostly unsuccessful) attempts to teach everyone the correct way to load a dishwasher.
Don didn’t just stay busy—he showed up, fixed things, made things better, and made people laugh along the way.
Don is survived by his wife, Pam (Peery) Lemke; daughter Michelle Kemp, her spouse Dan Kemp, and their children, Courtney (Daniel) and Justin; son Brian Lemke, his spouse Emma Lemke, and their children, Olivia and Gracelyn; and his siblings, Dan Lemke, Jeanette Hunter, and Sharon Spight.
Those who knew him will remember a man of character, loyalty, humor, and quiet strength who believed deeply in doing the right thing and standing by the people he loved.
His life was defined by service to his country, devotion to his family, and a strong work ethic that guided him throughout his life. His legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the family he loved so deeply.
Services will be held privately by the family. Military honors will be observed in recognition of his service aboard the USS Oriskany and his dedication to the United States Navy.
Print Obituary
Don was, and always will be, one of the best men I have ever known and loved! My thoughts and prayers are with you, Pam, and your family at this difficult time. Love you all tons!
Beautifully written; much heart and thought went into this beautiful obituary. What do I remember about Don, well he was always immaculately dressed. Handsome dude actually.
He showed perfection in all areas of his life, and that’s an honorable quality. He was hospitable and kind. Back to his perfection….his yard was pristine. I think he took pleasure in whatever he was doing, he DID WELL. He will be missed by me and others in many ways, but never forgotten and precious memories will always surface . The ones that make you smile through the pain.
Pam
We are so very sorry for your loss. Don was a wonderful man. We love you!!!
Pam and family, my deepest condolences. What a beautiful tribute. Don was a wonderful friend, and classmate. I’m glad he was able to visit with some of his closest friends just two weeks before his passing. God bless you during this difficult time. Kelly Benson
I love you Donny. I miss you, and, you were my hero!
Don’s obituary is perfection. To the author(s) you have honored Don to the highest level. He has to be looking down feeling both pride and the love that is in every word written.
I can’t write anything that is more meaningful than what has been said. We loved Don . Don and Pam are both great friends. Pam stay close. After you have found a sense of peace, find time for yourself and come visit with us…your friends want to spend time together with you.
We love you sweetheart and we will keep Don in our hearts until we will be together with him again. God Bless you.
Don was such an awesome second Dad to me! I am heart broken he is not with us but I am assured he is comfortable and happy in heaven watching over his family! Pam you have been such a wonderful amazing support and comfort to Don through all of this! I stand in Awe!! God Bless you and your darling family! Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives over the years! So very grateful to call you all my friends. Hugs and prayers! Love Jen
We are so saddened at the loss of Don. We loved getting together with you guys and will miss that companionship! Pam, please keep in touch with us! I realize we may not see each other very often but you are on our minds constantly. Love you so much. Bill and Linda Hargis
Don was a great guy. He always made you feel welcome.. I am so sorry for your loss. Know my hugs and love to you and yours are with you in this sad time.
Don and and our families have known each other since Brian and Les met in elementary. It is hard for me right now to vent with goid feelings. Don and I use to go golfing when time was appropriate for the both of us. Do was a good golfer and fun to be on the links with him. He loved his two children with all he had. Don didn’t like getting beat by Brian but it was going to happen. Don and Pam got out to watch Brian’s girls play softball and he was excited to be there. Don and Pam gave a good amount of time to their families and sponsored a youth nens softball team and they were pretty good. I miss seeing Don and Pam.
Don I will try to stay close to your family.
Don and Pam lived two houses down from me growing up. They treated me as family from the young age of 6 until they moved when I was much older. Every time they were outside I would go over and talk to them, even at 6 years old. Every year I would help them plant their flowers, help Don pick the weeds from his meticulous grass and flower beds, and spend time in their crystal clear pool. I went shopping with Pam to get supplies for Michelle’s wedding, heard about Brian’s time playing baseball (I may have had a crush), and loved playing with Nikita. I am so grateful for these wonderful memories and for the time I had to spend with such loving people.
Fair winds and following seas brother, I’ll see you in paradise.
Pam my deepest sympathy to you and your family! He was a great squadron mate and was proud to serve with him in our squadron VA-153. I have never forgotten the great neighbors I had at the trailer park ????. Our get togethers, bbq etc. You both were an inspiration to me! I remember Michelle walking around and playing in her little pool at over 100 degrees in the summer. Rest in peace squadron mate. Fair winds and Following seas my Brother, We have the Watch from here!
I was just in shock when I heard of the passing of Don.
He was such a great friend to all of us at Granger High School. It was so nice to see him at the High School Reunions. And what a fun time golfing with him.
The Obituary was so well written and informative of all his accomplishments and love for all his Family ! Sounds so much like me to love keeping his lawn and yard clean and trimmed.
He will be so missed at our next Granger High School Reunion. I will make sure that he is mentioned and remembered !
My condolences go out to his special Wife. Our love and prayers go out to her.
Carl & Darlene Benson
Working out with Don over the years was something I enjoyed and will truly miss his presence.
Simply stated, they don’t come any better!!